Evidence for pancreatic β-cell dysfunction in brothers of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Susan Sam, Yeon Ah Sung, Richard S. Legro, Andrea Dunaif*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hyperandrogenemia and insulin resistance are heritable traits in sisters of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hyperandrogenemia also appears to be the male reproductive phenotype; however, it is less clear whether male relatives are at risk for the metabolic disorders associated with PCOS. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that brothers of women with PCOS have defects in insulin action and/or secretion. Twenty-three non-Hispanic white brothers of women with PCOS and 23 non-Hispanic white control men of comparable age matched for body mass index underwent a modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Parameters of insulin sensitivity and secretion were determined using minimal-model Bergman protocol. Disposition index was significantly decreased (2540 [1080, 3172] vs 2901 [2096, 4487], P = .009) independent of a family history of diabetes mellitus, and glucose effectiveness was significantly increased (2.4 [1.9, 2.7] vs 2.0 [1.8, 2.2], P = .02) in brothers compared with control men. We conclude that brothers of women with PCOS have evidence for pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and may be at increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)84-89
Number of pages6
JournalMetabolism: Clinical and Experimental
Volume57
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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